DENTON - Four years after opening a distribution center, German grocer Aldi Inc. has opened a new local grocery store at 1105 S. Loop 288. The nearly 16,000-sf grocery store site is on 2.05 acres. Estimated construction cost was $1.6 million, according to state filings.

Nearly 20 people were hired from the local area for positions ranging from shift managers to cashiers for the store, said Scott W. Huska, vice president of the Denton Division of Aldi

In 2009, Aldi opened a 500,000-sf distribution center at 2500 Westcourt Rd. in Denton at an estimated cost of $50 million. The distribution center in employs about 100 people.

Huska said the company will be looking to open at least two stores in Denton in the next couple of years. Aldi will open another 24 stores in Oklahoma and Texas this year. The next store opening will be in Sherman this summer.